The wife od former Congress MP, Ehsan Jafri, who was burnt alive by Hindutva forces during the anti-Muslim pogrom of 2002 in Gujarat has said that she was unhappy over Thursday’s verdict in Gulberg Society massacre case.
Zakiya Jafri said, ” I am very unhappy with the judgement. I will carry on the fight, will do whatever it takes.”
Zakiya has been fighting for justice despite her failing health.
Activist Teesta Setalvad, who has been helping the families of those killed in the case, said the option of appeal against the acquittal of the 36 was “open.”
A special designated court on Thursday convicted 24 of the 66 people accused in the Gulberg Society massacre case involving the killing of 69 people, including a former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri.
11 were found guilty of murder and 13 others for lesser crimes.
A PTI report said that 36 accused were acquitted that included the BJP corporator Bipin Patel.
There was tight security deployment both inside and outside the court premises ahead of the judgement.
Accused and their kin shouted ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’ and ‘Jai Shree Ram’ outside the court premises.
The verdict comes 14 years after a mob led by Hindutva forces consisting of nearly 20000 armed militants attacked Gulbarg society – a cluster of 29 bungalows and 10 apartment buildings housing mostly Muslims – killing 69 people on 28 February 2002.